Category Archives: Law Enforcement Agency

1. SPD Assistant Chief Under Scrutiny

   May 10, 2012 —

   There’s more negative publicity being directed at the Seattle Police Department. This latest wave is focused on SPD Assistant Chief Mike Sanford. On Tuesday, the department’s Office of Professional Accountability announced that it would open an investigation into the conduct of Sanford, and Seattle’s Ethics and Elections Commission indicated that it may conduct its own … [More]

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2. Imprisonment of Washington State Sex Offender Overturned

   Apr 16, 2012 —

   It’s not uncommon for people to get mixed up about what date it is. But imagine that if by making this simple mistake, you could get tossed in prison for over four years. That’s what happened to a Lewis County man before the Washington Supreme Court freed him earlier this month. Three years ago, Michael … [More]

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3. King County Council Taps New Sheriff

   Apr 6, 2012 —

   Earlier this year, King County discovered that it would have to fill its sheriff position. Sheriff Sue Rahr accepted a job offer to become the executive director of the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission. By law, an election must be held this coming November to determine who will succeed her as King County Sheriff. But … [More]

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4. UPDATE: Officer Acquitted of Kicking Handcuffed Man in Head

   Mar 22, 2012 —

   We told you earlier about the trial of a Seattle Police officer who was charged with kicking a handcuffed man in the head after a scuffle outside a Ballard bar in December of 2010. Garth Haynes was off-duty when he was involved in a brouhaha with three other men who claim they were trying to … [More]

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5. Cop Allegedly Lies Under Oath About Traffic Stop Probable Cause

   Feb 28, 2012 —

   In most court proceedings, the word of a law enforcement officer is generally considered to be truthful, or at the very least is usually given more weight than that of a civilian. That’s because police are assumed to be working in conjunction with the goals of the criminal justice system. But in order to maintain … [More]

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6. Blair Russ Obtains Dismissal Before Trial

   Feb 18, 2012 —

   The taste of freedom.  After obtaining a dismissal in a difficult case Blair Russ discusses what it felt like to walk out of the courtroom with that client.  Please click on the hyperlink to see the video: Blair Russ Discusses Clients Victory   … [More]

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7. U.S Supreme Court Rejects Warrantless GPS Tracking Devices

   Jan 23, 2012 —

   Law enforcement science is advancing at an incredibly fast rate. But sometimes, the changes in the laws themselves aren’t keeping up with the rapid technological progress. That’s why we sometimes need the courts to intervene. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in a case surrounding the tracking of suspects using global positioning … [More]

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8. The Ramifications of the DOJ Report on SPD’s Use of Force

   Dec 20, 2011 —

   People in Seattle are still talking about the report issued last week by the Department of Justice about the Seattle Police Department. The DOJ’s findings of its investigation into SPD practices revealed what the feds called a pattern and practice of inappropriate use of force by many SPD officers. Now that we’ve had time for … [More]

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9. Seattle Police Dash-cam Usage Under Review

   Oct 23, 2011 —

   Dashboard-mounted cameras in police cars are intended to improve the transparency of the criminal justice system. Law enforcement officials like dash-cams because they can exonerate officers who are accused of illegal or unethical behavior. Civil rights advocates like dash-cams because they can provide evidence of improper or unlawful police activity. So why aren’t Seattle Police … [More]

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10. Government Forensic Scientists Are Wrong Again. Prosecutors Knew And Didn’t Tell

    Jul 19, 2011 —

    Sorry to bring it up again.  That horrible case in Florida with that miserable set of facts involving the innocent child has resurfaced again.  This time on the wheels of forensic science and possible prosecutorial misconduct.  The possible death penalty case that has been so popular in the news, Casey Anthony, ended in an acquittal … [More]

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11. Microsoft and Facebook Join Forces to Tackle Child Porn

    May 23, 2011 —

    Facebook and Microsoft have joined forces to eradicate child porn on the internet with a program created by Microsoft called PhotoDNA. Facebook has said that they will begin using PhotoDNA on their site, which is the largest photo-sharing site on the Web. PhotoDNA takes an image and creates a “hashtag” or digital fingerprint. The program … [More]

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12. Seattle Police In The News For Punching Handcuffed Man

    Jan 20, 2011 —

    In an incident occurring on January 13, witnesses say that Seattle police officers were seen punching a man multiple times while he lay handcuffed on the ground. The defendant was initially arrested for wandering in traffic and would not stop when requested to do so by police. When the man was wrestled to the ground … [More]

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13. Lakewood Police Officer Investigation Becomes “Open Criminal Courts Caselaw”

    Jan 12, 2011 —

    In the wake of the Maurice Clemons horror that ended the lives of numerous dedicated law enforcement officers, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that police reports following the conclusion of the police investigation must be considered “open to the public” or public record and subject to the public disclosure statutes. None of the exceptions (that provide for nondisclosure) applied. … [More]

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14. Medical Marijuana Certificate Won’t Stop the Police

    Dec 16, 2010 —

    A medical marijuana certificate will not prevent police officers from obtaining a search warrant, entering your home, and hauling you away to jail. In addition, according to the Supreme Court, your prosecution won’t be barred by the medical marijuana certificate and you will have to hire an attorney to assert a defense in a criminal trial … [More]

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15. Masks-Not Just for Halloween Anymore

    Dec 14, 2010 —

    Thieves have found another innovative way to disguise themselves during the commission of a crime. Gone are the days of donning a nylon stocking or ski mask to conceal their identity. Bank robbers are now  using hyper-realistic masks. These masks are so lifelike, they can make a young 20 year old man look like someone 50 years older, or make you look like a different race or ethnicity … [More]

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16. Criminal Trespass Policy Changes in Seattle

    Dec 14, 2010 —

    Local store owners together with Seattle PD entered into an agreement that if someone is caught loitering in front of a business establishment, a police officer can ban them from not only that particular establishment, but all participating businesses. If they return to that establishment or any other, they can be arrested for criminal trespass … [More]

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17. Expansion of Warrants Includes Barbie Doll could be Linked to Child Pornography

    Dec 7, 2010 —

    The doll looks like a regular Barbie but with one distinct difference, it comes conveniently equipped with a video camera built into her chest. The FBI is concerned that this toy will be used to sexually exploit children … [More]

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18. Police Conduct “Operation Grinch”

    Dec 7, 2010 —

    The timing of this crackdown was inspired by the onset of the holidays. Hoards of shoppers actually provide cover for drug dealers and gang members that are dealing crack, heroin and marijuana … [More]

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19. Criminal Law and the Depression

    Oct 28, 2010 —

    Everyone can agree that the past few years have been tough. Americans are financially stressed like never before. People have lost their jobs; their nest eggs, and in some cases their homes.  There is however, a silver lining that has come with the recession. While it is definitely unexpected, it is a welcome change. According … [More]

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